The NBA 2K26 Summer League begins on Thursday, July 10 in Las Vegas. As the field takes shape, roster construction becomes clearer, and Summer League Championship favorites start to separate from the pack. Here’s a look at who is favored to win the NBA 2K26 Summer League on DraftKings Sportsbook.
For those unfamiliar, the NBA 2K26 Summer League playoff format is straightforward. The four best teams by record enter a single-elimination tournament. Record ties are settled by point differential. Six good games can win you the Summer League championship.
The Utah Jazz enter as favorites on the back of a good showing in the Salt Lake City Summer League. These games don’t count toward the playoff standings, but it does give the Jazz a distinct advantage. They’re warmed up and ready to go. Six of the top nine teams are playing games before Vegas. That extra chance to shake the rust off gives them a measurable edge.
Now let’s get into my favorite pick to win this Vegas tournament.
Best Summer League Champion Bet
Minnesota Timberwolves (+1000)
The Timberwolves field an extremely impressive Summer League roster. It balances high-end talent with experienced players that have played a role in the NBA.
Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. are expected to get some good run, and will dominate as scorers in this Summer League format. Coach Kevin Hanson expects Shannon to be the leading scorer on the team. Leonard Miller should play a big role as well. He was dominant in the G-League this past season, averaging 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. That alone is a trio that could take Vegas by storm.
First-round pick Joan Beringer will play big minutes as well. Viewed as a developmental prospect, this should be a significant step in his development. He will share frontcourt minutes with former West Virginia big man Jesse Edwards. But I’m most impressed with the wing bets they’ve taken.
Jaylen Clark showed a lot of juice defensively with the Wolves in spot minutes. He’s a prime candidate to fill the gap left behind by Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Minnesota also has Amari Bailey, a former Hornets pick, and 2024 Pacers draftee Tristen Newton looking to crack the roster in the combo wing spots. Jamal Cain is present on a tryout basis after getting some minutes for the Miami Heat over the past few seasons.
This is a deep and talented group. Minnesota could field a whole starting lineup of players ready to get NBA minutes, plus some guys on the fringes. That’s a lot more than most teams can boast. Dillingham and Shannon give them the high-end scoring talent needed. At the fourth-best odds, the Wolves are the horse to ride in Las Vegas.
